I want to complete 100 wickets in Test cricket: S Sreesanth

S Sreesanth must be a relieved man now and the reason for the same is obvious. On Tuesday, the BCCI cut short the ban imposed on him for the IPL spot-fixing scandal in 2013. BCCI ombudsman Justice (retd) DK Jain reduced his ban to seven years and thus the sanction period would end on September 13, 2020.

Sreesanth received the news just five months after the Supreme Court of India “set aside” the BCCI ban – originally for life. The apex court had also asked the board to “reconsider” and “revisit” the length of any fresh ban, preferably within three months.

Sreesanth was found guilty of breaching the code of conduct for his alleged role in the IPL corruption and spot-fixing scandal in 2013. Two other Rajasthan Royals cricketers were also found guilty of the same. The BCCI had banned him for life after his arrest by Delhi Police for alleged promises made to bookmakers during the 2013 IPL.

The charges against Sreesanth pertained to the match against Kings XI Punjab, played on May 9 in Mohali, that Royals won by eight wickets. But the former India pacer has throughout maintained he is innocent and can finally breathe a little easy now.

“I am so relieved and happy. All these years I have been trying to prove my innocence and the efforts have finally bore fruit. It’s God’s grace that I have finally managed to come out of this and hopefully, I can be active in cricket again,” S Sreesanth told MyKhel.

S Sreesanth eyes comeback

By the time, S Sreesanth’s ban will end, he will be 37-year old. However, it has not stopped him from harboring hopes of playing for India again. The World Cup-winning pacer has said he is eyeing 100 Test wickets for the national team.

“Of course, we have seen many cricketers playing at this age. I am fit and will restart my training soon. God permits, I want to make a comeback to the Indian team and complete my 100 wickets in Test cricket. After years of struggle, it is still sinking in,” said Sreesanth.

Before being banned, he played 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20 Internationals, claiming 169 wickets across formats.